User blog comment:Lathagarr Stormgale of Tronn/Debate/@comment-1607590-20101203213238/@comment-1153441-20101222170131

A few things about that passage. (This is probably the last I'm going to say about the subject.)

One: Does the word rebuke make it sound like you are gently trying to explain something? For example, If I was acting like a jerk on the wiki and one of the admins saw me doing it, the first warning would be a gentle reminder. But if I kept acting like a jerk to everybody then the next warning would probably be a rebuke. The English translation of the word rebuke (in case you don't want to look it up) is:  "A direct and pointed reproof; a reprimand; also, chastisement; punishment." In Greek the word is "epitimao" which means "to forbid, charge or rebuke." So if I interpreted the language correctly, it doesn't sound like Peter was gently correcting him, it would seem that Peter was forbidding him harshly not to die on the cross.

Two: If Peter was just gently correcting him, then are you saying that Jesus was overeating? Because as you know Jesus called him Satan, which, as you pointed out means adversary in Hebrew. So if Peter was gently admonishing Jesus, then Jesus was overreacting way too much by calling him an adversary.

Three: It is true that I would try to dissuade someone I love from dying; even Jesus, if I was in Peter's position. But I would be wrong, just as Peter was wrong to try to rebuke Jesus from going to the cross. Because Peter and I are both finite humans we only see the things that are happing here and now, and we miss the big picture. Peter and the other apostles had their own idea of what Jesus should do to become King; and it didn't involve Him dying. And obviously if Peter and the apostles had had their way we wouldn't be going to heaven because Jesus would never have died for our sins. The whole Bible, and all of history for that matter, is full of times that man only sees what's going on right now, and he has his own plans of what's going to happen in the near future. But as you know, God's plans are always better then ours, and most of the time different then what we had in mind. He's God after all, his thoughts are not our thoughts, he always sees the big picture, and he always does what's best for us. Even if Peter was gently admonishing Jesus he was still going against God's will, by saying that he knew more then Jesus.

I'm stopping the debate for a couple reasons:

One: I need to think about all the things that you've said.

Two: It doesn't seem that either one of us is going to persuade the other to think on the subject the same way that we ourselves do (I'm not sure if that was the point of the debate, but whatever).

I just want you to know that I really enjoyed debating this subject with you. It really made me think and look at my Bible, you really know how to put together a pretty good argument. I'm sure you know this but just because we had this debate doesn't mean that I won't stop RPGing and chatting with you. I really think you're a great guy and it seems that you really love Jesus. I'm looking forward to seeing you in heaven (if not on this earth). Stay strong in your walk!